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As I sat staring at my 26 year old son across the breakfast table this morning a memory flashed across my mind. The memory was of a little boy who devoured books like they were candy.

I sat listening to him share his world with me, his life in New York City, his business ideas, his college classes and his new MAC Laptop’s exciting technology. All I could think of was how much his love for reading has impacted his life.

I enjoy asking him what he is currently reading because he always has a book or two or three that he shares with me. The look on his face as he describes his books is the same face of the little child I brought to the library at around two years old. The little boy who managed to read through almost the entire science section of our local library by the time he was six years old!

All I could see was My Captain Underpants tearing through our guest room (formerly his bedroom) looking for his Italian Text Book to use in his fourth and final year of Italian.

Our son discovered the Captain Underpants Book Series when he was about eight years old. He would wait impatiently for each book to be released over several years. The Captain Underpants series was a break for him from all his heavy Science reading and opened the door for reading all the Harry Potter books.

How could I ever know that the little boy who sat cross legged on the library floor with an open book on his lap and a stack of books beside him to check out would carry his love for reading to Columbia University.

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This Halloween Decoration was created as part of a sponsored post for Voya Financial. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of my most favorite things to do is to repurpose everything I can. I have been doing this for years and have driven my family crazy with all my little collections of bottles, cans etc.

I even had my son in law smuggle out of his house to me an over sized gelato container because my daughter wouldn’t contribute it to my hobby or as she says “my addiction” LOL!!

Every penny counts especially when you are baby boomers like my husband and I and have an eye on retirement further down the road. Repurposing is a great way to save money and explore your own creativity and imagination.

I had already been working on a project for Voya Financial repurposing tennis gear into a craft project. So I already had the bug of creativity running through my veins when I happenstanced on this amazing, inspiring hat.

I stood in the aisle and tried to imagine how I could incorporate this hat into a repurposing project.

While my brain was spinning I walked further down the aisle and came across a display of Halloweenish socks and temporary tattoos.

At that moment it all came together for me. I already had a tennis ball canister that was just screaming to be dressed up!!

I gathered the rest of my supplies running through Michael’s eager to get home to pull together my vision of my Halloween character that was going to sit in the middle of my pumpkin patch.

It is that time in the Northeast that when you get a day with a bit of a chill and you become someone with fall fever. Do you have “Fall Fever” yet? Do you have any retired tennis gear that you can repurpose? Would love to hear from you!! Happy Repurposing!!

Thank you Voya Financial for inspiring me using the idea of repurposing tennis gear for my first Halloween craft project of this year!

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Pregnancy, Cholestasis, Preeclampsia, and a Miracle …. Dec 12th was supposed to be the day my grandson was to be born into this world by C-section at 37 weeks gestation.

My daughter Elizabeth’s High-Risk OB Dr. determined that 37 weeks was as far as he could let the pregnancy go without risking many complications for mother and baby.

Elizabeth started her pregnancy being seen by a High-Risk OB Dr. because she has Crohn’s Disease and Sjogren’s syndrome. Two autoimmune diseases that can complicate pregnancy numerous ways.

The end of the first trimester Elizabeth and her husband were given the news that their baby could have complications with his heart because of Elizabeth’s Sjogren’s syndrome. They were told that if there were to be heart complications they would show up between the end of the first trimester to the end of the second trimester. Every ultrasound was scrutinized. A trying time for the expectant parents, nerves were raw as they leaned on their faith. They chose to believe that all would be fine with their child’s heart.

Everyone drew a sigh of relief when the second trimester came to a close without any sign of heart complications for the baby.

The third trimester brought on an onslaught of itchiness all over Elizabeth’s body. The last week of September my daughter asked me if I had experienced itchiness during any of my three pregnancies. Definitely not because I would absolutely remember if that happened to me. She told me the itch was all over her body and increasing in severity by the day. I told her that was not a normal pregnancy problem and go see her Dr. ASAP! She was only 27 weeks pregnant and I suspected something was going awry.

We were so glad that we had her baby shower three months before her due date of Dec 30th. We originally planned it for Oct 1st because her brother was getting married Nov 5th. It definitely worked out in hindsight because Elizabeth’s itchiness and what was to follow in her pregnancy.

My gut feeling was that her auto immune diseases were complicating the pregnancy. I did not feel qualified to have an opinion on whether or not it was in any way normal to be itchy all over since I do not have either of those medical conditions. Although her cousin Courtney suspected she was experiencing a condition called cholestasis, I wanted my daughter to have blood work to confirm or rule out anything related to the itchiness all over her body.

Obstetric cholestasis is a condition of the liver which occurs in some pregnant women. Cholestasis means there is a reduced flow of bile down the bile ducts in the liver. Some bile then leaks out into the bloodstream, in particular, the bile salts. These circulate in the bloodstream and can cause symptoms.

What are the symptoms of obstetric cholestasis?

Typically, symptoms occur after 24 weeks of pregnancy when the hormone levels are at their highest. Sometimes it develops earlier in pregnancy.

Severe itch without any skin rash is the most common symptom. The itch can be all over, but it is often worst on the hands and feet. Commonly, itch is the only symptom. It tends to get worse until you have the baby. The itch can become severe and affect sleep, concentration, and mood. It can become distressing. Although obstetric cholestasis does not cause a rash, the scratching caused by severe itching can cause visible marks on the skin.

Elizabeth’s Dr Appt (in her 28th week of pregnancy, first of week of October) resulted in her immediately being diagnosed with suspicion of cholestasis pending confirmation by her blood work that would take a week to receive the results. Her High-Risk OB immediately began treating her for cholestasis with drug intervention. My daughter was so itchy that she was scratching her entire body with a hair comb!

The blood results came back in her 29th week of pregnancy and confirmed the presence of a cholestasis condition and a very bad case. Her bile acids were extremely high as well as her liver enzymes. Elizabeth’s Dr. increased her dosage of meds and started monitoring her even more closely. She had 2 Dr. visits a week, ultrasounds, blood pressure monitoring/logging, constant dialogue with the Dr via tests, email, and phone calls.

Elizabeth’s blood pressure was elevated during her 29th week of pregnancy and her feet began to fill with fluid. The Dr. suspected Preeclampsia and tested her by measuring proteins in her urine and monitoring her blood pressure throughout her days.

The Preeclampsia was confirmed in her 30th week of pregnancy in addition to her Cholestasis condition driving her crazy with severe itching all over her body.

“Preeclampsia (pre-e-CLAMP-si-a) is a condition unique to human pregnancy. It is diagnosed by the elevation of the expectant mother’s blood pressure usually after the 20th week of pregnancy. According to guidelines released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the diagnosis of preeclampsia no longer requires the detection of high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria). Evidence shows organ problems with the kidneys and liver can occur without signs of protein, and that the amount of protein in the urine does not predict how severely the disease will progress. Prior to these new guidelines, most healthcare providers traditionally adhered to a rigid diagnosis of preeclampsia based on blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Preeclampsia is now to be diagnosed by persistent high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy or the postpartum period that is associated with high levels of protein in the urine OR the new development of decreased blood platelets, trouble with the kidneys or liver, fluid in the lungs, or signs of brain trouble such as seizures and/or visual disturbances.

Important symptoms that may suggest preeclampsia are headaches, abdominal pain, shortness of breath or burning behind the sternum, nausea and vomiting, confusion, heightened state of anxiety, and/or visual disturbances such as oversensitivity to light, blurred vision, or seeing flashing spots or auras. Preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy impact 5-8% of all births in the United States.

Most women with preeclampsia will deliver healthy babies and fully recover. However, some women will experience complications, several of which may be life-threatening to mother and/or baby. A woman’s condition can progress to severe preeclampsia very quickly.

Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can be devastating diseases, made worse by delays in diagnosis or management, seriously impacting or even killing both women and their babies before, during or after birth.”

Having both Cholestasis and Preeclampsia put Elizabeth and her child at extreme risk. The Dr. told her that she needed to feel her baby move at least 10x every 90 minutes. If she did not feel him 10 times she needed to get in the car and get to the hospital ASAP. Every minute counted. Elizabeth felt the heavy responsibility of monitoring her baby’s life and was having trouble sleeping in conjunction with insane cholestasis itching.

It was touch and go whether Elizabeth would be able to attend her brother’s wedding on Nov 5th which placed her pregnancy in her 32nd week. The Dr. said he could take the baby as early as the 32nd week if he deemed necessary.

The Dr. gave her the go ahead to attend her brother’s wedding that was one hour away from the hospital she was going to deliver her baby at. Her liver enzymes and bile acids were on their way down and her itchiness was not increasing. She needed to monitor her blood pressure frequently and make sure the baby was moving 10 times in 90-minute cycles. Again a very big responsibility to feel like you hold your child’s life in your grasp. We made a game out of taking blood pressure readings while hanging out in the hotel the night before the wedding. Making light of a very serious situation. Thankful that she did not have to miss her brother’s wedding.

The following two weeks there was bi-weekly ultrasounds and Dr. visits. Elizabeth kept a blood pressure log in her iPhone. Her 34th week the Dr asked to see her blood pressure log and admitted her into the hospital on the spot for observation. They did a liver enzyme test and found her enzymes were off the charts and blood pressure consistently high. The baby’s heart was monitored as well. It was decided the baby would be delivered that night or the very next day.

While delivering the baby and cutting the cord it was discovered that there was only a drop of blood left in the cord, not enough for a cord blood sample to be stored.

When I went to the recovery room to see my daughter she told me through tears that it was a very close call. If the baby was not delivered that day he most likely would have not made it in utero past the following 24 hours. The placenta was found to be a mess and ceasing to support the baby through the cord.

We call our grandson the “Miracle Baby”. Born at 34 weeks gestation and weighing 4lbs. 3oz. 17 ¼ inches long. He has overcome so many obstacles and is a thriving little fighter Preemie! Anthony Joseph spent 18 days in the NICU. He gained a half pound in only three days while at home nursing every 2 hours.

The purpose of this post is to make people aware of Cholestasis and Preeclampsia. I had three pregnancies and never experienced either of those conditions so I was unaware of the signs and symptoms my daughter was experiencing.

Both conditions are very serious and if not caught and managed very closely can be deadly to mother/child.

Tailwind for Instagram is an Instagram scheduling and analytics tool built on the same platform as Tailwind’s popular Pinterest marketing tool. It is designed to enable bloggers, influencers and marketers to schedule their Instagram posts in advance on a desktop computer or a mobile device.

Anything that shaves time off of a task that I am already doing regularly is what I am always on the hunt for. “In time trials, Tailwind for Instagram was 60% faster than the scheduling process that many marketers use today, involving emailing images to themselves and downloading them on their phone.”

I have been using the Tailwind app for Pinterest since 2013. The Tailwind App has enabled me to be laser-focused on my pinning priorities as well as helping me drill down with my followers and group boards.

I manage many Instagram accounts and am looking forward to minimizing my work time by using Tailwind for Instagram just as I have with my very successful Pinterest account.

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The Verizon FiOS app enabled me to catch up on all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls prior to the release of the Netflix revival of Gilmore Girls which was made available on Black Friday.

The Netflix revival of the Gilmore Girls consists of four 90-minute episodes. I have been streaming whenever I have a few minutes and wherever I can.

My Verizon Wireless service in conjunction with my Verizon FiOS App makes all this streaming possible.

Disclosure: **I am a member of both #LifeOnFiOS and #VZWBuzz Ambassador Teams– selected teams of influencers for Verizon FiOS and Verizon Wireless who love the FiOS and Wireless service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

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Our cousin’s reunion took place this past weekend in North West New Jersey. Our cousins Mary Catherine and husband Bob were our hosts.

We all knew we needed to bring our appetites because Mary Catherine had been cooking and baking all week posting all her creations on Instagram and Facebook. She is a culinary pied piper in our family.

Creating a welcoming atmosphere is another gift Mary Catherine possesses. We used to call her our Martha Stewart but we now believe she has far surpassed Martha. We all have encouraged her to finish writing her cookbook and share with the world her fine taste and hospitality.

How food is experienced has everything to do with the decor, with the rituals surrounding the meal, with the company, and with the experience. Food is drama, the table the stage, and the cook is the tamer and hero.

When we finally settled down to the table the conversations were all over the map literally! We come from all walks of life and continents. Lots of laughing, story telling and catching up.

Disclosure: I’m so excited I received a MotoZ Smartphone and three Moto Mods as part of my relationship with Verizon. Thanks Verizon for letting me play with this amazing smartphone technology!! #Droid #MotoZ from @Verizon #VZWBuzz #ad .

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I did not realize that the process of choosing a special song to dance to with my son on his wedding day was going to conjure up so many memories of our mother/son lifelong journey.

He is our oldest son and the second one of our children to be wed. The process of a son planning a wedding vs a daughter is a completely different experience.

I never knew how much time I would be putting into choosing a special song until I started listening with a very intentional ear to many Mother-Son Dance Song lists.

The whole process became very emotional for me as I sat listening to each song trying to pair the song’s lyrics somehow with my son, and our mother/son relationship all through the years.

Our relationship began during the nine months carrying him in my womb. We connected in a very special way in addition to actually being attached umbilically during my pregnancy LOL!

My first look at my son was me seeing a scowl on his face. I would soon learn that scowl was when his comfort was disturbed otherwise he always wore a smile.

He smiled so much that his football coach had to tell him not to smile while he was tackling someone on the football field! Both Memories are so carved out in my long term memory.

Certain words in many of the songs provoked some deeply buried, cherished memories to resurface while clutching a box of tissues. I am wondering how many mothers of the groom have experienced this flood of emotion as I have.

I had many song sessions that brought me down memory lane and each time I narrowed my selections more and more.

I had a song chosen months ago but somehow I did not feel it was perfect for my son and myself to dance to. Back to square one using a fresh ear revisiting some of the sites I used already. I thought I was past the emotional responses the music invoked in me. Nope, not only did I cry like a baby, but so did my husband when I had him listen to my new and final selection for my Mother-Son Dance Song.

My husband and I have prayed all of his life for him to find someone to share his life with. I know that he is counting the days to marry his best friend!!

What song did I choose for our Mother-Son Dance?

November 5th, 2016 is the wedding so stay tuned!

These are some of the sites I used to review potential song selections for our Mother-Son Dance:

I used my Verizon MotoZ smartphone with the JBL SoundBoost Speaker Mod to hear each song very clearly whenever and wherever I had some downtime. What is great about my MotoZ smartphone and the JBL SoundBoost Speaker Mod is I am able to access instantly a powerful stereo sound and it’s features of a kickstand, a built-in battery for 10 hours of playtime and speakerphone capabilities.

Disclosure: I’m so excited I received a MotoZ Smartphone and three Moto Mods as part of my relationship with Verizon. Thanks Verizon for letting me play with this amazing smartphone technology!! #Droid #MotoZ from @Verizon #VZWBuzz #ad .

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A few weeks ago I became a grateful recipient of the new MotoZ Droid Smartphonewith three amazing Moto Mod accessories and a storage case!

Most intriguing to me was the idea of having a projector in my pocket that could project videos and photos up to 70 inches wide onto any flat surface! The concept of having the capacity at a moment’s notice to present a project, idea, document, image, video or view a movie with one or more people was exploding my mind!

I wanted to use the projector for something very special. I decided to produce a 33rd wedding anniversary video for my husband.

While editing my anniversary video I used the JBL Soundbooth Speaker to play the video through for a preview before surprising my husband.

I played the video on our bedroom ceiling for our 33rd Wedding Anniversary with my Moto Insta-Share Moto Mod projector.

Preparing all the images for this very special video spent lots of battery time. Editing images for hours really tested the MotoZ’s Moto Mod Power Pack Battery life. I went for almost a whole day without having to charge up my smartphone.

I have more creative ideas to use my MotoZ’s Moto Mods in my work and my everyday life. Stay Tuned!!!

Disclosure: I’m so excited I received a MotoZ Smartphone and three Moto Mods as part of my relationship with Verizon. Thanks Verizon for letting me play with this amazing smartphone technology!! #Droid #MotoZ from @Verizon #VZWBuzz #ad .

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How many people would love to explore a new city but feel directionally challenged like me?

I found this wonderful smartphone app CityMaps2Go that can be a constant companion for directions, dining, shopping, transportation and sightseeing! There is a free version available and paid versions as well.

You can confidently plan your travel by downloading maps for cities or countries prior to your trip. You can use the maps even when you do not have wifi. I love that this app tracks my position on the map so I know exactly where I am. Make sure you download the maps while you have a WiFi connection.

Having a reliable wireless connection is a priority for me especially while traveling. I am a Verizon Wireless User and take full advantage of their International Trip Planner Tool. This Planner Tool helps me find the best compatible International Plan and also helps me know which networks I can access on my trip: 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G data.

If you are not already a Verizon Wireless User and want more information about their plans or how to switch over to Verizon Wireless, please visit this link.

Having a currency converter on your smartphone when traveling to multiple countries makes travel much easier. I find the Currency App to be the most up to the minute for currency conversions. Before you start out from your hotel with wifi availability calculate your currency so you can make the conversion without using data.

I like having things in one place so I do not waste precious time searching all over the internet. I love using the Trivago App that gives me all my hotel options with the lowest available prices.

While I am traveling in the USA I take full advantage of my Verizon FiOS TV Service by using theFiOS Mobile App. The past two weeks I have been on and off traveling and did not want to miss either of the conventions. I was able to set up my DVR on the road to record what I could not watch live with my app.

When I was finally home I took my iPad out on my patio and hopped on Verizon FiOSApp to enjoy watching the convention poolside.

Image shot with Samsung Galaxy Note5 #VZWBuzz

Disclosure: **I am a member of both #LifeOnFiOS and #VZWBuzz Ambassador Teams– selected teams of influencers for Verizon FiOS and Verizon Wireless who love the FiOS and Wireless service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

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People who commute in these three ways are more satisfied with their commutes than people who drive, take the bus, or take the subway, according to a McGill University survey of 3,377 commuters inMontreal.

I received a Fitbit from Verizon a number of weeks ago. My husband received his Fitbit the day after me. He is using his Fitbit to gauge his daily commute into NYC.

I thought his progress would give a great insight into how much ground is covered when traveling from North Jersey to NYC.

My husband is a very competitive man and having this on his wrist is challenging him every day to beat his miles, maintain his heart rate and burn those calories!

Here is a glimpse of his statistics for a four-day commute into NYC with his Fitbit on his wrist.

To make wearing the Fitbit even more competitive you can earn badges to mark your activity accomplished.

I hope to be able to get into the competition and pass my husband’s Statistics but I have a lot of ground to make up. He is off and running with his Fitbit!!

Disclosure: As a member of a very cool team of influencers for Verizon Wireless I received compensation to think of this story from my life and write about it.

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My Yorkie cannot resist an open door or gate. She loves to run down the hill from my home and sometimes stops in to visit a neighbor. I never know which neighbor. Now with this tiny Bluetooth tracker the #Tile, I just grab my Note5 smartphone, bring up my #Tile Appand tap “Find”. The little square tile that I attached to my Yorkie’s collar can now help me locate the little feline socialite without having to walk around the neighborhood calling her name. The music you will hear on this Videois emitting from the Tile on her collar. You can attach the Tile to anything you want to find and keep track of.

Ring Your Things
Ring lost items just like you’d call a lost phone. If your Tile is within the 100-foot Bluetooth range, it will play a loud tune until you find it.

Ring Your Phone
Can’t find your phone? Press any one of your Tiles to make your lost phone ring—even if it’s on silent.
Tiny speakers let out a 90-decibel melody that’s easy to hear—even if it’s under something or in another room.

If you lost your phone far away, finding it is still easy. Log into the Tile website appto see its last known location, to make it ring, or to send a lock-screen message to the friendly folks who might find it. Expand your search using all Tile apps in the Tile Community. This feature is 100% private, so no one knows you’re looking for a lost item but you.

Thanks Verizon for sending me a #Tile that fits my lifestyle! More About the #Tile I received from @verizon read HERE

Disclosure: As a member of a very cool team of influencers for Verizon Wireless I received compensation to think of this story from my life and write about it.

Three ways to purchase were offered to me that day. I went with the $0.00 down and $44.99/mo for 24 months; 0% APR. It was quite the deal since after I ran the numbers my monthly bill decreased by $30.00.

If you are a Verizon Wireless customer and are eligible for an upgrade I suggest you look into this plan. It is very cost effective for me and I have the wonderful benefit of having an iPad Pro 12.9 to use very day. If you are not a Verizon Wireless Customer yet I highly encourage you to look into all the packages that are available.

I knew instantly that having an Apple Pencil would help my workflow and broaden my image editing creativity.

What I did not realize was how much I could use an iPad Pro on the go especially on a trip, in my hotel room or even in transit on a train or a car.

I can stream my favorite channels and record content on select devices, anytime and almost anywhere using the FiOS Mobile app. These are the features I use with my FiOS Mobile app on a regular basis:

Watch nearly all my recorded shows on the go

Access thousands of On Demand titles

Manage my DVR from virtually anywhere

Use my mobile device as my Fios TV remote

Set parental controls

Recently on a trip to Pennsylvania that was a 3-hour car ride, I decided to try watching one of my movies I had previously scheduled to record “Under The Tuscan Sun.”

Under The Tuscan Sun is in my top five all time Movies!

I have a real soft spot for that movie since a few years back I had the opportunity to work with Frances Mayes introducing her new wine line in Cortona, Italy, and Denver, Colorado.

I am sitting right next to Frances Mayes in her own backyard at her mountain house in Cortona in this Tondo Tondo Wine page.

I watched a little bit of the movie on the road using my FiOS Mobile app and was also able to watch at my hotel that night.

It blows my mind that I can access my home TV from most anywhere and stay caught up and watch some of my favorite shows and movies.

Having an iPad Pro makes gives me the ability to work anywhere and be entertained as well.

I am looking forward to having my iPad Pro from Verizon with me especially this summer sitting by the pool not wanting to move from my relaxing chaise lounge!

Disclosure: **I am a member of both #LifeOnFiOS and #VZWBuzz Ambassador Teams– selected teams of influencers for Verizon FiOS and Verizon Wireless who love the FiOS and Wireless service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

The con in this scenario is that you cannot repeatedly rewind the history that was just made like you can when you are at home watching the game on your Verizon FiOS network.

I did manage to catch a small clip of the fans going crazy during the third inning scoring.

I assumed my husband had already set the game to record. I glanced over to confirm and caught a glimpse of him checking his FiOS Mobile App.

To his disappointment, he had not set up the recording that would’ve had the historical inning to watch at his leisure. He proceeded to record the rest of the game, then to his surprise and relief Verizon FiOS grabbed the prior hour of what was playing on channel 577 SNY because the TV was already on that specific channel and in the buffer!! The recording started from around the second inning and that was a gift to him!!

If you are a Verizon FiOS Customer already you can download the FiOS Mobile App at Google Play and the App Store to start streaming your recorded content from anywhere with an internet connection right away.

A glimpse of Verizon FiOS Mobile App Capabilities:

Stream every subscribed channel and all recorded content while at home

Disclosure: **I am a member of both #LifeOnFiOS and #VZWBuzz Ambassador Teams– selected teams of influencers for Verizon FiOS and Verizon Wireless who love the FiOS and Wireless service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

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Upon entering an unfamiliar entrance into an empty Ninth Avenue area of Port Authority Bus Terminal I stumbled upon three tired commuters waiting by a departure door for a bus to bring them back to New Jersey.

A very unexpected treat to find a great piece of art by Sculptor George Segal. The name of the sculptures “The Commuters”. The sculptures are cast in bronze with white patina.

The piece’s interpretation is that the artist was paying homage to the brave masses who pass through Port Authority Bus Terminal each morning and evening, month after month and year after year.

Even in one of the most congested and busiest transportation hubs in New York City, I was able to have full wireless service with my Verizon. #BetterMatters #collab #VZWBuzz

Verizon Wireless rates #1 in speed, data, reliability and overall performance in the U.S.

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Macy’s Flower Show is NYC tradition but is also in five other cities in the United States.

The theme this year is “America The Beautiful”. Six regions of the United States are represented using indigenous plants from each region to exhibit the beauty and variety that each specific area brings.

I used myVerizon Samsung Galaxy Note5 powered by Verizon’s Wireless Network (that is #1 in speed, data, reliability and overall network performance in the U.S.) to listen to the audio tour as well as snap images because #BetterMatters to stay connected!

Disclosure: As a member of a very cool team of influencers for Verizon Wireless I received compensation to think of this story from my life and write about it.

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“On that terrible day, a nation became a neighborhood. All Americans became New Yorkers”. ~ George Pataki ‪

All day on 9/11/01 my cell phone served as a lifeline to so many in NYC delivering news to loved ones when all the lines of communication were difficult to get through. My Verizon service was there for us because ‪#‎BetterMatters‬!

Verizon Wireless rates #1 in speed, data, reliability and overall performance in the U.S.

How does your network perform for you?

Disclosure: As a member of a very cool team of influencers for Verizon Wireless I received compensation to think of this story from my life and write about it.

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How many feel that a score is being kept, a record of wrongs accumulated throughout the years?

Most times we are not even aware that we have hurt someone with our words, actions or even a facial expression.

Digital communication in the form of email and text messaging as well as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have now brought in a new way to possibly offend so many with simply a key stroke.

Whether we realize it or not we all keep a scoreboard in some form.

This life is a numbers game at every turn.

Let’s begin with the day we are born:

How much does the baby weigh?

What day you are born determines what year you will graduate high school. (You might miss the kindergarten cutoff by one day and miss a whole year.)

SAT scores determine college placement and scholarships.

Where one graduates from can sometimes mean the difference in your salary.

Area codes and zip codes denote your financial class.

How many “Likes” on an Instagram or Facebook Post can determine a person’s value in different circles.

“I am deeply grateful that God turns off the scoreboard when I fail. He doesn’t simply forgive when we repent; He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12). With God, forgiveness means that our sin is out of sight and out of mind. May He give us grace to extend forgiveness to those around us.” Continue reading Here.

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If you love food, wine and learning then come on down and join us July 17th-19th at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.

Attending this conference is a very special experience. I should know since I attended last year.

Foodies, wine enthusiasts, and bloggers will have so much fun tasting, sipping, learning and networking. Do not worry if you are shy, the people attending theFood and Wine Conference are so friendly you will be made to feel welcome as I was last year as an attendee.

Several years ago my schedule would not allow me to attend in person but I followed along on Twitter. I felt like I was there with all the tweets of conference quotes as well as food and wine images. All of that activity prompted to me attend the 2014 Food and Wine Conference in person.

Disclosure: As a speaker, I receive a free ticket, and as brand ambassador for the Food & Wine Conference, I will receive a commission if you use my discount code to purchase a ticket. As always, all opinions are my own.

Photo of the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel was taken by Ashlee Hamon Photography at the 2014 Food and Wine Conference (used with permission from Sunday Supper Movement).

This summer I plan on catching up on some shows and movies while I am on the beach, during a long car ride, in my backyard and even hanging at the park absorbing the sun!

I have downloaded The FiOS® Mobile App that lets you access your home entertainment and technology virtually anywhere in and around your home or even when you’re away from your home on your compatible smartphone or tablet. Watch movies with FiOS On Demand, manage your uploaded photos, even change your DVR schedule–all from your phone or tablet!

Watch it Live. TV Optional.

Verizon FiOS Mobile.

Stream FiOS TV channels on your iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, or Kindle Fire® – at home or out and about. Popular channels for live TV viewing include NFL Network, NFL RedZone, beINSport (in English and Spanish), BBC America, TNT, Nickelodeon, Tennis Channel*, HBO, TBS, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, Bravo, SyFy, HGTV*, Food Network*, EPIX*, the Cooking Channel and many others. This list is always growing so check back here often to see what news channels are available for in-home and/or out-of-home viewing.

I have also bookmarked so many shows and movies available on Showtime, HBOGo and Cinemax( free with your Verizon Subscription to these premium channels) simply by downloading their apps on iTunes and Google Play and then signing in with my Verizon FiOS Username and Password.

On HBOGo I can watch some oldies but goodies such as Six Seasons of Sex and the City, Three Seasons of Newsroom, Six Seasons of the Sopranos, Five Seasons of Game Of Thrones and Four Seasons of Veep!

On Showtime Anytime, I can watch Four Seasons of Homeland, Five Seasons of Shameless and Two Seasons of Ray Donovan!

When you subscribe to FiOS TV and FiOS Internet, you can stream live TV directly from your Xbox One® and 360® consoles.

Or use your Samsung® and LG® Smart TVs and Samsung Blu-ray™ Players to stream channels to your TV with the FiOS TV app.

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Since becoming a Verizon Wireless Influencer and Brand Ambassador in the #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Program, I have been afforded many the opportunity to test numerous smartphones. I am currently testing a Verizon Droid Turbo and also shooting images with an iPhone6 as well this summer.

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Each year, on this day, people enjoy a glass of their favorite wine with dinner, for dessert, with friends, at a restaurant, at home or at a wine-tasting event. The wine has a rich history dating back thousands of years! (There is also a separate, yet similar, National Wine Day which is celebrated each year in February).

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On Wednesday, May 13, 2015, Applebee’s hosted a street party “Taste the Change” in Times Square to celebrate it’s new menu. The festivities included free samples of new menu items, such as the new Triple Hog Dare Ya sandwich, a takeover of twelve of Times Square’s famous billboards, complete with social media integration; live music featuring performances from Jason Derulo, X Ambassadors and DJ Fitz (of Fitz and the Tantrums); games and activities for guests to enjoy.

The tagged tweets #WatchApplebees of those who could not make it to New York on May 13 appeared on a massive Times Square billboard during the event between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EDT. Applebee’s shared live photographs from the event and the digital displays from the Times Square billboards at www.applebeestastethechangefest.com, where guests whose images appeared on the billboard were able to share via Facebook and Twitter with the headline, “Applebee’s threw a party in Times Square and I was there!”

Hosting a live Periscope video broadcast was Vincenzo Landino, who with more than 40,000 video followers is among Twitter’s leading live video personalities. Landino broadcasted live from Times Square in 30-minute segments throughout the event.

Later this month, the nearly 2,000 Applebee’s locations across the country will update their menus with eight new or improved sandwiches and appetizers, including the Triple Hog Dare Ya, Brew Pub Philly steak sandwich and Maple Bacon Chicken Piadini.

Piadina is a wrap, it’s like a tortilla but it’s made from a thin dough, very trendy right now. Piadina is almost like a really thin flat bread dough that applebee’s cooks on the grill. They roll cedar grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, bacon and a maple glaze on the inside with some fresh greens rolled up nice and hot off the grill.

Beautiful tender, slow roasted brisket tossed in salsa verde sauce on top of chips. Three different cheeses: white cheddar, yellow cheddar and a white queso dip. It has roasted poblanos, roasted jalapenos, caramelized onions, pico de gallo, all in a beautiful white silky sauce layered with the beef brisket on top of that with Applebee’s nacho lettuce (cabbage and shredded iceberg, pico de gallo, scallions, cilantro and fresh sliced jalapenos) and then chipotle lime seasoning on top.

Applebee’s is the world’s largest casual dining chain, with more than 2,000 locations in 49 states, 16 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Applebee’s takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® restaurants are franchised or operated by DineEquity Inc.’s (NYSE: DIN) wholly-owned subsidiary, Applebee’s International, Inc. and its affiliates.

Disclosure **I am a member of #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team. I am supplied with different devices to use and test. All opinions are my own. **

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Mother’s Day is a modern celebration honoring one’s own mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.

The meaning of being a mother is virtually endless. A mother is a protector, disciplinarian, and friend. A mother is a selfless, loving human who must sacrifice many of their wants and needs for the wants and needs of their children. A mother works hard to make sure their child is equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities to make it as a competent human being. Being a mother is perhaps the hardest, most rewarding job a woman will ever experience.

During the last five years, I have gotten to know my Aunt Judith through the eyes of her daughter, my cousin Courtney. I knew my Aunt Judith as an encourager, an intellectual, a business woman, wife to my Uncle Johnny and mother to my cousins.

I have come to find out that all those were simply adjectives just scratching the surface of the multi- dimensional woman I called Aunt Judith.

There have been many milestones in Courtney’s life these past few years that we have walked through with my cousin and my Aunt Judith. How could that be since Aunt Judith is no longer with us?

While preparing for Courtney’s wedding, we learned the organizational, sentimental side of her mother. A mother that had planned for her daughter’s wedding since Courtney’s birth. There were files and notebooks of instructions, thoughts and words of wisdom all laid out for Courtney to reference for her life penned and researched by her mother. There was a deep caring and sense of humor found on those pages. A piece of Judith preserved to form her legacy as a mother and grandmother.

Courtney’s baby shower theme was a tea party. Aunt Judith had planned that theme years ago and had purchased the favors as we had discovered.

Aunt Judith’s baby shower notes were executed and embellished and her presence was felt all during the festivities.

Now that Courtney has a child of her own there have been so many everyday situations that she pauses to reflect and ask ” What would Momma say, What would Momma do?

Aunt Judith’s newest grandchild (that she has not met here on earth) will know her through the thoughtful words and deeds she has passed onto Courtney. Judith Marshall DeCosmo’s legacy lives today in another generation.

Courtney is a wonderful mother to her little girl. She is that kind of a mother today because of all the time, nurturing and planning her mother invested in her throughout her life.

Whenever we would see a moving truck pull into the neighborhood the children would get excited and wonder if the new family would have kids that could be possible new playmates.

The “grownups” as we called them would get busy putting together cakes, cupcakes, meals or a bunch of handpicked flowers to call on the new neighbors welcoming them to the neighborhood.

The families would take turns greeting the new neighbors by knocking on the front door or ringing their doorbell and introducing themselves carrying homemade, welcoming gifts.

There was also something called “The Welcome Wagon” that some neighborhoods also used in addition to personal welcomes as described.

Recently while participating in a Twitter Chat by chance the very drastic shift in our daily lives jumped out to me.

There is hardly any children playing outside, neighbors sitting on their porches or neighbors ringing doorbell delivering welcome gifts.

Plentiful is the “Virtual Communities” that have no doors with knockers or doorbells, just keyboards that with one keystroke can “Like” or “Obliterate” the lives of anyone or everyone in a particular virtual community.

We now have Emojis to express our feelings including, cakes, hearts, and flowers!

The problem with emoji is that you cannot smell, taste or feel them and share those sensory experiences with another living being.

Virtual communities are growing in leaps and bounds, but people are feeling lonelier than ever.

Depression is at an all time high and selfies abound! What is this compulsion to photograph one’s self every breathing moment implying that life is one big party??

All the non-stop social sharing masquerades as communication. It is not social sharing if there is not any exchange or reciprocation.

After I participated in a random twitter chat it was pointed out to me that so many feel left out, not heard and not even greeted with a proper hello. The gratitude for taking the time to take part in a chat or give to the community by attending is scarce and more times than not, reserved for the social stars that bring numbers to the game.

This ignited my thoughts about how many people have taken their time deciding to become part of “My Virtual Community.” Have I greeted all with a “Hello” and “Thanked” them for hitting that Follow button or “Liking” my Tweets, FB Posts, Pinterest Pins or Instagram Images?

This Post is for all those I have missed out on saying a proper “Hello” greeting and “Thanking” you for deciding to become a member of my community!!

I would love to be able to stop by for a cup of tea or if it is five o’clock somewhere a glass of wine!

I would like to bring over a cake, freshly baked bread or a bunch flowers and tell you that you matter and you are not just a number acquired for social media statistics.

Call to Action for My Community:

I would like to influence my community to participate on social media by sharing, exchanging and reciprocating with me and their own micro-communities.

“A Secret Service agent ( Matt Dillon ) goes to Wayward Pines, Idaho, in search of two federal agents who have gone missing in the bucolic town. He soon learns that he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive.”

Disclosure: **I am a member of both #LifeOnFiOS and #VZWBuzz Ambassador Teams– selected teams of influencers for Verizon FiOS and Verizon Wireless who love the FiOS and Wireless service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

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Since live streaming Apps Meerkat and Periscope (owned by Twitter) were launched last month they have been highly publicized in the news and online. Both apps, currently available only on iOS, let you broadcast live video from your smartphone to the app’s other users or to a private group of friends and followers.

“Ever since Meerkat captured the imagination of this year’s SXSW audience, it has become one of the most hotly-discussed new platforms in recent years among marketing industry experts.” “It’s been claimed by many that Meerkat is the biggest SXSW breakout product since Twitter in 2007” read more here

Chef Franco’s enthusiasm and passion for cooking is contagious and can be caught by watching him cook and engage with people. We chose to showcase Chef Franco’s magnanimous personality using the Meerkat App during a cooking session.

Most Meerkat users are aware that the app offers an option to save their video streams on their mobile devices but does not save to YouTube for you. We decided to use the Katch App.

Katch allows you to simplify the process of preserving your memories while passing off the storage and distribution concerns to YouTube’s servers. By adding “#Katch” to your Meerkat video stream description, you’ll immediately alert Katch, which will then save your video, upload it to YouTube and then send you the link via your Meerkat comments. read more here We added #Katch to our Meerkat Video Title to capture our video for posterity.

When we reviewed the “Katch Video” we discovered that the last 10 minutes of our saved video was out of sync. We had lost video view for a few minutes during our meerkat broadcast and that must have disrupted the recording. Chef Franco was able to have the video put back into sync then placed up on YouTube.Chef Franco’s Mission is to inspire people that have hit hardships and adversity in their lives using the invigorating energy of cooking. His passion for the kitchen and its potential to heal the soul have made him a grassroots sensation, inspiring culinary professionals and novice foodies alike. The Master Chef has appeared on HTTV and The Food Network, where he served up delicious recipes garnished with his famous joie de vivre. Now Chef Franco shares his joy of cooking, his recipes, and the story of how he found happiness in the kitchen with people around the world….and how you can do the same.

The following is a three-minute clip from Katie Shea Design’s Meerkat Video summing up Chef Franco Lania’s Cooking Mission:

Some Cooking Tips from Chef Franco Lania:

Tip 1: Boil the pasta nice and easy to keep the integrity of the shapes.

Tip 2: Large sweet onions do not make you cry as much.

Tip 3: Remove the onion root before cutting to enable the onion to easily fall apart into half moon shapes.

Tip 4:Undercook your pasta by about 3 minutes.This allows the pasta to cook the rest of the way with the other hot ingredients.

“Imagine a gadget that’s smaller than a deck of cards, as easy to use as a light switch and powerful enough to provide a super-fast Internet connection to numerous devices. That’s a mobile hotspot, which lets you take Wi-Fi with you. Wi-Fi hotspots—or Verizon Jetpack mobile hotspots—keep multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices connected to the Verizon 4G LTE network. Unlike a USB modem or wireless modem, which can be used only with your laptop, a mobile hotspot can easily connect your laptop and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously.” We keep a sharp eye on Data usage since the business smartphone has a 2GB plan. By using the Verizon Hotspot we did not consume a chunk of the Data plan for one “Live Streaming” session.

The following image illustrates an example of a possible Verizon Wireless Customer’s Monthly Data Usage:

Please Click on the following image to calculate your Monthly Data Usage:

After calculating your estimated Monthly Data Usage stop by Verizon Wireless and check out all the latest Wireless Plans available for your wireless devices.

The scale is tipping in our personal and business lives to a more “Video Usage” world. Ensuring we have a “Data Plan” that can accommodate our lifestyles and budgets is essential.

A Verizon iPhone6 128GB was used to shoot Katie Shea Design’s images and Meerkat Video in this post.

Disclosure **I am a member of #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team. I am supplied with different devices to use and test. All opinions are my own. **

HBO GO® is The streaming service from HBO that lets you enjoy your favorite HBO shows, movies, comedy specials, sports, documentaries – plus behind-the-scenes extras and more. It’s every episode of every season of the best of HBO, free with your HBO subscription—now available on Android smartphones and tablets!

Keep up with your favorites. Watch everything you love about HBO, including HBO original programming, hit movies, sports, comedy and every episode of the best HBO shows, including True Blood®, Game of Thrones®, Boardwalk Empire®, Girls, Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm®, Entourage®, The Sopranos®, Sex and the City®, The Wire® and more. Plus, get bonus features and special behind-the-scenes extras!

When it comes to streaming HD video, you’ll need a broadband speed, or bitrate, that’s capable of handling a progressive scan rate of 720p. Since your HD-capable screen is refreshing the screen 60 times per second, this means ensuring that all those video frames are received and ready to play before they’re needed. Your computer or other device will cache all the incoming data and queue the video frames so they’re ready for smooth playback. Read more here

There were a lot of episodes to watch in order to catch up to Game of Thrones Season 5 so I needed my broadband speed to be extremely fast when using HBO Go!

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Last night was the first ever #MCEOTalk hosted by Vincenzo Landino, social media strategist and a community ambassador to name a few.

The first topic for discussion was “What it takes to be a Millennial Leader.”

#MCEOtalk is a live omnichannel panel discussion held weekly on Wednesday’s at 9pm ET. Hosted by Vincenzo Landino and the Millennial CEO team.

Topics are centered around solving business problems with a millennial mindset.

The format includes a Twitter chat, Google Hangout, podcast, blog posts, and live streaming video from hosts and guests on Periscope and Meerkat.

#MCEOtalk encourages ongoing dialogue throughout the week via the hashtag and community members are encouraged to communicate directly with hosts and guests on the channel of their preference. The learning never stops!

What impressed me the most about was the integration of all the multiple platforms used by the #MCEOtalk hosts as well as the smooth collaboration of topics during the conversation.

Some of my Favorite Talking points:

I am able to upload and stream on multiple Social Media Platforms (Meerkat, Periscope, google+ and twitter) like last night’s #MCEOtalk at breakneck speeds because of my Verizon FiOS Quantum Gateway router.

Boost your bandwidth.

The FiOS Quantum Gateway uses dual-band technology for faster sharing and the best connection to the FiOS® network. Dual-band technology gives you two separate frequencies, allowing your family to perform both high and low bandwidth activities such as checking email and streaming movies simultaneously. More bandwidth means less congestion making for a more seamless Internet experience even when using multiple devices.

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I was so excited for the event since some of my all time favorite actors would be attending. “I am going to breathe the same air as Judi Dench and Richard Gere” my daughter said when I asked her to attend the premiere with me.

Content is refreshed weekly, so there’s always something new to watch!

Many new release movies are available before Netflix.

I was really pumped after watching The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel twice since I had the movie for a few days. Could not wait to see the next saga of all these fabulous adventure seeking retirees. Lucky for me, I did not have to wait long since I was attending the premiere.

Having the ability to view a movie at my fingertips “On Demand” is extremely crucial to my work on Social Media. I was able to get acquainted with all the characters and be ready for the premiere of the second movie very quickly.

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Verizon Wireless’s ‘Destination Store’ opened in Boston, and it is the first of its kind to open on the East Coast. The Verizon Destination Store’s unique design and interactive elements will empower guests to explore how technology supports today’s active and connected lifestyles. Located at 745 Boylston Street, the new store is one of only four Verizon Destination Stores among 1,700+ company-operated locations nationwide.

Spanning two storefronts on Boylston Street, the 8,000 square foot showcase is staffed by over 70 Verizon Wireless professionals, all specially trained to provide expertise and guidance across six distinct “Lifestyle Zones.” Each Lifestyle Zone depicts ways technology can be incorporated into the home, office or on-the-go. These zones include “Amplify It,” “Customize It,” “Get Fit,” “Have Fun,” “Home and on the Go,” and “Anywhere Business.”

The store also includes:

A stationary bike, to use while customers test fitness-trackers while virtually cycling around any street in the world.

A selfie booth, stocked with Boston-themed props.

DJ equipment to demo the array of headphones on display

A station to design and print custom phone cases that can be taken home the very same day

“Wireless Workshop” training space for free informational classes

Charging stations available to all guests

Focal Wall – This interactive wall creates avatars and allows guest to play virtual games such as football.

We toured the new store, shopped and tested out some of the different areas mentioned above.

I especially enjoyed the selfie booth and decided to design my own Droid Turbo smartphone case from the image taken of some of my team members and myself in the selfie booth.

I had fun watching one of my VZWBuzz team members Robyn Wright try out the interactive Focal Wall – that creates avatars and allows guest to play virtual games such as football.

Some members of our East Coast VZWBuzz team tweeted our weekly Twitter chat from the New Boston Verizon Destination Store.

After our Twitter chat we usually have a video Recap of the chat which gives our audience another opportunity to ask questions, view Tech products and win prizes.

We broadcasted our Recap from the New Boston Verizon Destination Store.

While Misty and Marty McPadden were filming the broadcast I test drove the new Meerkat App to Stream the broadcast from my iPhone6 to my twitter followers.

After the Broadcast, the Meerkat App gives you the option to upload the video up onto YouTube.

This was my first ever Meerkat stream! I will be needing to buy a microphone that cancels out background noise for future broadcasts.

The Boston Verizon Destination Store is the first of its kind to open on the East Coast and is well worth a trip to test out all that it has to offer as well as ask any questions from the very enthusiastic staff they have on board!

Disclosure **I am a member of #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team. I am supplied with different devices to use and test.. All opinions are my own. **

Besides having the opportunity to attend, I was eagerly anticipating viewing the movie to see how this month’s line of CRAFT BY WORLD MARKET was inspired.

CRAFT BY WORLD MARKET is a whole new way to shop the world. Their merchants search the world for rare, handmade finds and offer them up in small quantities for a limited time. If enough people pre-order an item, it will be made and shipped. These items can’t be found in World Market’s retail stores and are exclusive to the CRAFT collection.

Jewelry plays an important role in Indian bridal dress customs. Every state and culture have a particular way of adorning the body and clothes with jewelry. Styles vary from state to state, as can be seen in the film The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Pay attention to all the jewelry flowing at the wedding of Sonny (Dev Patel) and lovely Sunaina (Tina Desai).

Evelyn learned how the Artisans start each scarf by hand-spinning wool, then weaving, dyeing and embroidering completely by hand to create an accessory that reflects the vibrant design culture of India.

The wedding of Sonny (Dev Patel) and lovely Sunaina (Tina Desai) was rich in Indian fabrics, jewelry, and age-old customs.

The weddings in India are vibrant, colorful affairs, as depicted in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Brides wear colorful, embroidered saris on their wedding day, and each of Craft World Market’s one-of-a-kind, hand-made Suni Sari Bags are created from recycled saris and clothing worn by women in India.

Since the late 16th century, floral frames and foliage have been popular in Indian architecture and textile design. Representing abundance, and a tribute to the natural world, CRAFT BY WORLD MARKET’S Nila Bone Inlay Tray has a foliage motif that gives the decor piece a lively fluidity.

This limited-edition piece is embellished with designs inspired by the traditional architectural motifs found in homes throughout Rajasthan, India, a region renowned for its royal crafts. There are so many beautiful pieces featured in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Long believed to be symbols of divinity and compassion, elephants occupy a gargantuan place in Indian culture. Communities throughout the Indian subcontinent often anoint these benevolent beings with special oils and decorate their bodies with specific pigments as devotional acts.

Many of the homes and buildings in Rajasthan are left open and free for curious eyes to take in their unmistakable beauty. Here, you’ll see pieces like CRAFT BY WORLD MARKET ‘s Carved Blue Shelf adorning homes and businesses in appreciation of the carved pillars created by artisans throughout the centuries.

The inn chosen to represent the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a rural palace situated in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, a region celebrated throughout the world for its arts and crafts. The building dates from the early 17th Century and is filled with historic furniture that celebrates the global influence of its many rulers.

CRAFT BY WORLD MARKET was attracted to this welcoming bench because of its style, inspired by the gathering place of the characters in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Its wide seat provides a pretty place to perch while watching the sunset from your own oasis. You can spy Muriel (Maggie Smith) resting on the welcoming bench in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

CRAFT BY WORLD MARKET is a whole new way to shop the world. Their merchants search the world for rare, handmade finds and offer them up in small quantities for a limited time. If enough people pre-order an item, it will be made and shipped. These items can’t be found in World Market’s retail stores and are exclusive to the CRAFT collection.

Here’s how it works:

If you see an item you’d like to buy, click “pre-order”. You’ll enter your credit card information but won’t be charged unless the item meets the pre-order requirement for production.

You’ll be sent an email confirmation for your pre-order.

Your order will be confirmed when enough people have pre-ordered the item.

When your item is shipped, your credit card will be charged.

When your item is on its way to you, we’ll send you a final email.

If the number of pre-orders isn’t met within the time frame (typically 30 days), the design will not be created. Your pre-order will be canceled and your credit card will not be charged.

New selections appear every month, so be sure to check back to see the latest limited-edition handcrafted selections from around the world.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.

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You can access the live stream — of the pre-show, full ceremony and Jimmy Kimmel’s post-show — at Oscar.com, ABC.com, WatchABC.com and the Watch ABC app for Android and iOS if you reside in Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham or San Francisco.

Live streaming is only available if you are a cable or satellite subscriber for any of these TV providers: Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, DISH, DirecTV, Midcontinent Communications, Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber or AT&T U-verse.

Stories of Greek Olive Oil reminds me of my Brother In Law’s parent’s olive oil that is shared amongst all of us over here in the US. Perfect for dipping in crusty bread!We not only sampled some of the most delicious food samples but were treated to the friendliest vendors as well! Great chatting with Reinier Ferrell and Albert Waite.

Hubbie decided that he needed several bags of Chef’s Cut Jerky for his Superbowl menu!La Esquina Salsas have been featured in Food & Wine as one of the editors’ favorite snacks, as well as Prevention Magazine, The New York Times and EaterNY.Enjoyed chatting with Matt Gallira founder and owner of Atlantic Ave Co. All products share hand-crafted qualities: small batch sauces start with fresh herb-infused organic extra virgin olive oil, San Marzano tomatoes, Cabernet Sauvignon, and carefully sourced ingredients like hand-made Pancetta and imported Porcini mushrooms

The Jam Stand’s Sriracha Jam has Juicy peaches and fiery sriracha combine for a jam that’s not just peachy… it’s spicy too!Vermont Farmstead petit lille– “Thicker than a Brie, this decadently sumptuous soft ripened cheese has a downy white bloom with a supple paste core enveloped by a rich creamy body. Reveals a subtle mushroom nuance with notes of nut and butter and a lingering tang”